The Lady Wore Black

August 7, 2003 9:59 AM

Ailing teen gets her dream: meeting Queensryche singer. It wasn't a funded Make-a-Wish Foundation event, just a hospice worker making some phone calls. Geoff Tate didn't just show up at the hospital to say hi to Brittany... he, his wife, and the band went to great lengths to show her the time of her life.
posted by Tubes (27 comments total)

That's pretty cool.
posted by scarabic at 10:18 AM on August 7, 2003

I admit to being a sucker for the sweet human interest stories. This one played me like a fiddle.

*sniff*
posted by arielmeadow at 10:20 AM on August 7, 2003

See, it just goes to show... You're more likely to get what you want when you don't ask for oral sex.
posted by KnitWit at 10:21 AM on August 7, 2003

Says Susan, "The music must be something that enchants her. I told Geoff about her, and he said, 'I'm not even worthy. Of course I'll do it."

Nice to hear a rock star say that about a fan for a change. But, a seriously classy thing to do nonetheless.
posted by jonmc at 10:28 AM on August 7, 2003

With the Tates on board, the hospice worked with tour promoter Clear Channel Entertainment and Kroenke Sports Enterprises, owner of the concert venue, Universal Lending Pavilion.

hm.
posted by goethean at 10:33 AM on August 7, 2003

Cameron Diaz is a selfish bitch.
posted by stonerose at 10:34 AM on August 7, 2003

Wow, that one really got me. I am quite teary-eyed. I love it when people do this kind of thing. Here's a story about the same kind of thing that JK Rowling did for a dying girl vis-a-vis Harry Potter.

Makes me happy that people can be this good to other people.
posted by aacheson at 10:37 AM on August 7, 2003

wow, I always liked their music - now I like their attitude even more. sniff.
posted by jkaczor at 10:37 AM on August 7, 2003

Jonmc: I've always considered Queensryche as the logical counterpart to Rush for the category of "thinking man's heavy metal band". So I'm not all too surprised to hear Tate say something like that.
posted by ehintz at 10:42 AM on August 7, 2003

She could've been a little less selfish and wished for a cure which might've helped others too. But nooooooo, she put herself first.
posted by DBAPaul at 10:50 AM on August 7, 2003

ehintz: yeah, true, although Tate's a much better vocalist than Geddy Lee.
posted by jonmc at 10:53 AM on August 7, 2003

Hey man, don't diss the Lee...
posted by PenDevil at 10:59 AM on August 7, 2003

Jonmc: Sure, but Geddy beats Geoff hands down as a bassist and keyboardist. ;-)

DBAPaul: on the other hand, she could've been a bit more selfish and wished for cunnilingus. Besides, realistically, her wishing for a cure is both implied, and pointless. Wishing for it isn't likely to bring it on any sooner. Perhaps getting on the PR bandwagon would, but what she did probably got more PR than just about anything else, so all things considered I'd say it's a pretty reasonable request. I'd wager it brought more attention to the issue than petting an Orca would have.

Of course, if you have any suggestions for how someone near death with a terminal illness can somehow suggest their wish for a cure and suddenly drive science to great new heights, I'm all ears. But I do hope you understand if I don't hold my breath waiting for this great insight.
posted by ehintz at 11:00 AM on August 7, 2003

goethean: [said "hm" re. the involvement of Clear Channel and the venue owner.] I don't smell anything here. That's who you gotta talk to to get any special accomodations arranged. I'm sure they recognized that some publicity would result but still, those folks are human too.
posted by Tubes at 11:05 AM on August 7, 2003

ehintz: DBAPaul was kidding.
posted by signal at 11:13 AM on August 7, 2003

Man, I'm all choked up. It's rather pleasant to be reminded that strangers can still be quite nice to each other.
posted by tr33hggr at 11:13 AM on August 7, 2003

ehintz: Besides, realistically, her wishing for a cure is both implied, and pointless.

I'd note that realistically, her wishing to meet Geoff Tate also seems pointless, but it was made to happen.
posted by DBAPaul at 11:34 AM on August 7, 2003

If I were dying, I'd wish for a pony.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:53 AM on August 7, 2003

I'd wish to meet Matt Haughey
posted by Samsonov14 at 11:58 AM on August 7, 2003

I'd settle for a signed 8X10 of quonsar.

And yes the heartstings have been plucked. Thanks?
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 12:04 PM on August 7, 2003

Saw queensryche last month when they were on their tour with dream theater. Geoff Tate was quite the class act and an incredible showman.

After Dream Theater's set, Queensryche came back out. picture 3 guitarists, two bassists, one keyboardist, two drummers, and two of rock musics finest vocalists singing "Comfortably Numb" together. Then they did the same with a DT song called "The Spirit Carries On", and an old QR song, "Take Hold of the Flame". A prog-metal geek's wet dream. If only they'd covered a rush song too, I'd have fell over in my seat and died, giant grin on my face.
posted by GeekAnimator at 12:36 PM on August 7, 2003

I saw them open for Metallica back on the ...And Justice For All tour. they did indeed kick major quantities of ass. "Jet City Woman" and "Eyes Of A Stranger" still get my head bangin'.
posted by jonmc at 12:45 PM on August 7, 2003

Incredibly cool story. I love Queensryche and have seen them play twice. They never seemed to have the huge ego that other bands did, and now I'm even more impressed. Got a bit of a lump in my throat myself.
posted by witchstone at 1:22 PM on August 7, 2003

Cameron Diaz is a selfish bitch.

No kidding. From now on, a dying child won't even be able to wank to her topless photos.
posted by scarabic at 1:43 PM on August 7, 2003

Who was that asshole orca whale that turned her down?
;-P
posted by mischief at 4:01 PM on August 7, 2003

I saw Queensryche earlier this year in London and they were fantastic - I'm so glad to read this - it's nice to know that it's not an essential requirement of being a rocker to disappear up one's own arse.

*sniff*

Aw, bless.

I appear to have gone all gooey. This will never do.
posted by pixeldiva at 5:29 PM on August 7, 2003

What a great story. I love hearing about these kinds of things.
posted by SisterHavana at 10:54 PM on August 7, 2003